Overcap for a tennis ball container

ABSTRACT

An overcap for a container for storing at least one tennis ball, the container extending along a longitudinal axis and having an open end. The overcap includes a body adapted for removably attachment to the open end of the tennis ball container. The body includes a peripheral rim for engaging an outer surface of the container at the open end, and a lip projecting from the peripheral rim toward the longitudinal axis. The peripheral lip extends over a portion of the open end of the tennis ball container. The lip defines a first opening.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/781,547 filed on Feb. 4, 2020, the full disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an improved overcap for a tennis ball container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tennis balls are typically stored in a pressurized cylindrical body having a closed end and a second end that is sealed with a removable seal. Once the seal is removed, pressure is lost from the body and the second end becomes an open end. An overcap is commonly provided with most pressurized tennis ball containers to allow for the tennis balls to be placed into the cylindrical body through the open end, and then for the second end to be closed.

Existing overcaps are thick solid pieces of plastic that extend and fully cover the open end of the tennis ball container. The overcaps can add undesirable weight and cost to the tennis ball container. Accordingly, there is a continuing need for an improved overcap that can address these undesirable aspects of existing overcaps.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an overcap for a container for storing at least one tennis ball. The container extends along a longitudinal axis and has an open end. The overcap includes a body adapted for removably attachment to the open end of the tennis ball container. The body includes a peripheral rim for engaging an outer surface of the container at the open end, and a lip projecting from the peripheral rim toward the longitudinal axis. The peripheral lip extends over a portion of the open end of the tennis ball container. The lip defines a first opening.

According to a principal aspect of a preferred form of the invention, a tennis ball container includes a cylindrical body and an overcap. The tennis ball container is adapted for storing at least one tennis ball. Each of the at least one tennis balls has a maximum cross-sectional area and a diameter. The cylindrical body extends along a longitudinal axis and has a first closed end and a second end opposite the first end. The overcap is removably attached to the second end of the cylindrical body. The overcap includes a peripheral rim for engaging an outer surface of the container at the open end, and a lip projecting from the peripheral rim toward the longitudinal axis. The peripheral lip extends over a portion of the open end of the tennis ball container. The lip defines a first opening.

This invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings described herein below, and wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a container for tennis balls including an improved overcap in accordance with an implementation of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top, side perspective view of the overcap of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom, side perspective view of the overcap of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is a top view of the overcap of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4B is a top view of an overcap for a tennis ball container in accordance with another implementation of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the overcap of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is top perspective view of a tennis ball container and a conventional tennis ball container overcap shown above the container.

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a container for tennis balls including an improved overcap in accordance with another implementation of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a top, side perspective view of the overcap of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a bottom, side perspective view of the overcap of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a top view of the overcap of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the overcap of FIG. 7;

FIGS. 12 through 15 are top views of overcaps for tennis ball containers in accordance with other alternative implementations of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a container 10 holding a plurality of tennis balls 12 is shown with an improved overcap 14. The container 10 is sized to hold two, three, four or more tennis balls 14. In one implementation, the container 10 is a cylindrical container extending about a longitudinal axis 16. The container includes a first closed end 18 and a second end 20 opposite the closed end 18. The container can have a circular cross-sectional shape when viewed about a plane extending through the container 10 and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 16. In other implementations, the container can take other shapes, such as, for example, a shape having a polygonal cross-sectional area.

Referring to FIG. 6, the container 10 is typically pressurized to retain the tennis balls 12 in a pressurized state. Tennis balls 12 are typically sold new in a pressurized state in which the balls are pressurized within a range of 5 to 15 psi. In one example, premium tennis balls are pressurized to approximately 13 psi. In order to maintain the tennis balls 12 in a pressurized state, the tennis ball container 10 is typically also pressurized within the range of 5 to 15 psi. The container 10 is typically initially configured and sold with a removable seal 22 positioned over at the second end 20, closing the second end 20 to maintain the container 10 in a pressurized state. The removable seal 22 is typically formed of an aluminum alloy or similar material, and includes a pop-top tab 24 to facilitate the removal of the seal 22 from the second end 20 of the container 10. Once the seal 22 is removed from the second end 20, the seal 22 is typically discarded leaving the second end 20 open.

Existing tennis ball containers are typically sold with a prior art overcap 30, which is a circular lid formed of a continuous piece of polymeric material, such as a thick plastic. The overcap is used, after the seal 22 has been removed from the second end 20, to store the tennis balls 12 and retain them in the container for later use. Existing overcaps 30 add to the cost, weight and waste associated with a tennis ball container. Accordingly, there is a continuing need to provide an improved overcap that can be produced at a lower cost, have a lighter weight, and result in less waste associated with the tennis ball container.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4 a and 5, an improved tennis ball container overcap 14 is illustrated. The overcap 14 includes a body 32 adapted for removable attachment to the open end 20 of the container 10. The body 32 is formed of a lightweight, resilient material, such as a plastic. In other implementations, the body 32 can be formed of other materials, such as, for example, other polymeric materials, a rubber, a wood, an aluminum, other alloys, or combinations thereof. The body 32 of the overcap 14 includes a peripheral rim 34 for engaging an outer surface of the container 10 at the open second end 20. The peripheral rim 34 extends around the entire circumference or periphery of the container 10 at the second end 20. The body 32 further includes a lip 36 radially projecting from at least one location on the peripheral rim 34 toward the longitudinal axis 16. In the implementation of FIGS. 1-5, the lip 36 uniformly projects radially toward the longitudinal axis 16 about the entire periphery or circumference of the rim 34. The lip 36 and/or the peripheral rim 34 define a first overcap opening 40. The first overcap opening 40 is circular, and is sized so as to smaller than the diameter of the tennis ball 12 and/or smaller than that maximum cross-sectional area of the tennis ball 12. The diameter of a typical tennis ball is within the range of 2.57 to 2.7 inches. Accordingly, the overcap opening 40 of the implementation of FIGS. 1-4 a and 5 has a diameter less than 2.57 inches. The maximum cross-sectional area of a typical tennis ball would be πr², or π(1.285 in)² to π(1.35 in)² or 5.187 in² to 5.725 in². In other implementations, the size of the diameter or the maximum cross-sectional area can be a different dimension or area.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the first overcap opening 40 of the overcap 14 is sized to retain the tennis balls 14 within the container 10. In the implementation, of FIG. 1, the first opening 40 may allow for a portion of the tennis ball 12 closest to the second end 20 of the container 10 to slightly extend through the first opening 40.

The first opening 40 is sufficiently large enough that the amount of material used to produce the improved overcap 14 is at least 40 percent lower than the amount of material used to produce a conventional overcap. In another implementation, the opening 40 is sufficiently large enough that the amount of material used to produce the improved overcap 14 is at least 50 percent lower than the amount of material used to produce a conventional overcap 30. A conventional tennis container overcap can weigh approximately 6.1 grams, and in one implementation, the overcap 14 weighs 3.5 grams, which is a reduction in weight of over 42 percent. Accordingly, the weight of the overcap 14 was measured to be more than 40 percent lower than the weight of a conventional tennis can overcap. Accordingly, the improved overcap 14 results in significantly lower waste, significantly lower material cost, and significantly lower weight than a conventional overcap 30. Less material results in less material for recycling and/or landfills.

Referring to FIG. 4b , in one implementation, a very thin layer 60 of lightweight material can be applied over the opening 40 of the overcap 14. The very thin layer 60 of lightweight material can be used to prevent dirt, debris or moisture from entering the tennis ball container 10 with the overcap 14 applied to the second end 20 of the container 10 after the pop-top tab 24 is removed from the container 10.

Referring to FIGS. 7 through 11, another implementation of a tennis ball container overcap 114 is illustrated. The tennis ball container overcap 114 is substantially similar to the overcap 14 except that the overcap 114 includes a lip 136 that extends from a first location 144 of a peripheral rim 134 to a second location 146 about the peripheral rim 134 to form a band 150. The band 150, the peripheral rim 134 and/or the lip 136 define first and second overcap openings 140 and 142. The band 150 includes an outer surface 152, and the outer surface 152 can include alphanumeric and/or graphical indicia 154, such as, a trademark, a symbol, an instruction, a descriptive or inspirational message and/or combinations thereof. As shown in FIG. 7, the band 150 retains the tennis balls 12 within the container 10, such that no portion of the tennis ball 12 closest to the second end 20 projects or extends through the first or second overcap openings 140 and 142. The overcap 114 includes the same or similar benefits of the overcap 14 by requiring less material to produce, resulting in less cost and less waste.

FIGS. 12 through 15 illustrate other implementations of an improved overcap. Referring to FIG. 12, an improved overcap 214 is illustrated. Overcap 214 is substantially similar to overcap 14 and overcap 114 except that overcap 214 includes a lip 236 including a band 250 that extends from a first location 244 of a peripheral rim 234 to second and third spaced-apart locations 246 and 248 about the peripheral rim 234, such that the band 250, the peripheral rim 234 and/or the lip 236 define first, second and third overcap openings 240, 242 and 241, respectively. Similar to the band 150, the band 250 retains the tennis balls 12 within the container 10, such that no portion of the tennis ball 12 closest to the second end 20 projects or extends through the first, second or third overcap openings 240, 242 and 241. The overcap 214 includes the same or similar benefits of the overcap 14 by requiring less material to produce, resulting in less cost and less waste.

Referring to FIG. 13, an improved overcap 314 is illustrated. Overcap 314 is substantially similar to overcap 14, overcap 114 and overcap 214 except that overcap 314 includes a lip 336 including a pair of band 350 a and 350 b that extend from a first location 344 to a second location 346 about a peripheral rim 334, and from a third location 348 to a fourth location 352 about the peripheral rim 334, respectively. The band 350, the peripheral rim 334 and/or a lip 336 define first, second and third overcap openings 340, 342 and 341, respectively. Similar to the band 150, the band 350 retains the tennis balls 12 within the container 10, such that no portion of the tennis ball 12 closest to the second end 20 projects or extends through the first, second or third overcap openings 340, 342 and 341. The overcap 314 includes the same or similar benefits of the overcap 14 by requiring less material to produce, resulting in less cost and less waste.

Referring to FIG. 14, an improved overcap 414 is illustrated. Overcap 414 is substantially similar to overcap 14, overcap 114, overcap 214 and overcap 314 except that overcap 314 includes a set of four lips 436 that radially project toward the longitudinal axis 16 from four spaced-apart locations of a peripheral rim 434. The four spaced-apart locations can include first, second, third and fourth locations that are equally angularly spaced apart about the peripheral rim 434. In other implementations, other numbers of lips 436 can be used including 1, 2, 3, 5 or more lips, and the lips can be positioned in other locations or arrangements about the peripheral rim 434. The peripheral rim 434 and the lips 436 define an overcap openings 440. Similar to overcap 14 and the first opening 40, the lips 436 can be sized so as to retain the tennis balls 12 within the container 10, and allow a small portion of the tennis ball 12 closest to the second opening 20 of the container to extend or project through the opening 440. The overcap 414 includes the same or similar benefits of the overcap 14 by requiring less material to produce, resulting in less cost and less waste.

Referring to FIG. 15, an improved overcap 514 is illustrated. Overcap 514 is substantially similar to overcap 14, overcap 114, overcap 214, overcap 314 and overcap 415 except that overcap 514 includes a pair of lips 536 that radially project toward the longitudinal axis 16 from two angularly spaced-apart locations of a peripheral rim 534. The two spaced-apart locations can include first and second locations that are equally angularly spaced apart about the peripheral rim 534. In other implementations, other numbers of lips 536 can be used including 1, 3, 4 or more lips, and the lips 536 can be positioned in other locations or arrangements about the peripheral rim 534. The peripheral rim 534 and the lips 536 define an overcap opening 540. Similar to overcap 14 and the first opening 40, the lips 536 can be sized so as to retain the tennis balls 12 within the container 10, and allow a small portion of the tennis ball 12 closest to the second opening 20 of the container to extend or project through the opening 540. The overcap 514 includes the same or similar benefits of the overcap 14 by requiring less material to produce, resulting in less cost and less waste.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated, numerous departures therefrom can be contemplated by persons skilled in the art. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the foregoing description but only by the scope and spirit of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A tennis ball container storing at least one tennis ball, each of the at least one tennis balls having a maximum cross-sectional area and a diameter, the container comprising: a cylindrical body extending along a longitudinal axis and having a first closed end and a second open end opposite the first closed end; a removable seal enclosing the second open end; an overcap removably attached to the second end of the cylindrical body, the overcap including a peripheral rim for engaging an outer surface of the container at the open end, and a lip projecting from the peripheral rim toward the longitudinal axis, the peripheral lip extending over a portion of the second open end and the removable seal of the tennis ball container, the lip extending over a portion of the removable seal, the lip defining a first opening.
 2. The tennis ball container of claim 1, wherein, when the removable seal is attached to the second open end of the cylindrical body, the tennis ball container is pressurized.
 3. The tennis ball container of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical container has a circular cross-sectional area.
 4. The tennis ball container of claim 2, wherein the tennis ball container is pressurized within the range of 10 to 15 psi.
 5. The tennis ball container of claim 1, wherein the first opening of the body is sized to be smaller than one or both of the diameter of the tennis ball and the maximum cross-sectional area of the tennis ball.
 6. The tennis ball container of claim 1, wherein the lip uniformly projects from the peripheral rim.
 7. The tennis ball container of claim 6, wherein the first opening is circular.
 8. The tennis ball container of claim 1, wherein the removable seal includes a pull tab, and wherein the lip extends over a portion of the pull tab.
 9. The tennis ball container of claim 1, wherein the tennis ball container is sized to retain no more than three tennis balls.
 10. The tennis ball container of claim 1, wherein the tennis ball container is positionable between first, second and third configurations, wherein, in the first configuration, the removable seal and the overcap are secured to the second open end of the cylindrical body, wherein, in the second configuration, both the removable seal and the overcap are removed from second open end of the cylindrical body such that the at least one tennis ball can exit the tennis ball container through the second open end, and wherein, in the third configuration, only the overcap is attached to the second open end of the tennis ball container such that the at least one tennis ball within the tennis ball container is inhibited from exiting the second open end of the cylindrical body.
 11. The tennis ball container of claim 1, wherein, in the first configuration, the tennis ball container is pressurized.
 12. The tennis ball container of claim 1, wherein the lip extends from a first location about the peripheral rim to a second location about the peripheral rim.
 13. The tennis ball container of claim 11, wherein the lip forms a band such that the lip defines the first opening and a second opening.
 14. The tennis ball container of claim 12, wherein the band includes an outer surface, and wherein alphanumeric and/or graphical indicia is formed on the outer surface of the band.
 15. The tennis ball container of claim 1, wherein the lip extends from a first location of the peripheral rim to at least second and third spaced-apart locations about the peripheral rim. 